The Iggy and Lou Interviews Part 1
Are You Happier as a Schmuck? Lou Reed vs. Music Journalism
Lou Reed and Iggy Pop. Both were purveyors of dangerous druggy 1970s nihilism. They sat to the right and left of Bowie at the all-time ultra cool kids table, both having their careers resurrected and vaulted to new heights with his help. And, ahem, a little from Mick Ronson too.
They had much in common- love for leather, drugs, Berlin, doing drugs in Berlin, etc.
One way they differed wildly was their approach to one of the necessary evils of rock stardom- the interview. Reed, as you will see, was notoriously prickly (or just a prick) in many sit downs he had over the years. His answers were baffling, contradictory and almost always of as few words as possible. John Cale called it emitting “rays of hostility” to gain an advantage over his perceived adversaries.
Iggy was surprisingly aww-shucks Midwest folksy, self-deprecating and affable, deigning to engage sincerely with squares like Tom Snyder and Dinah Shore.
So you get where I’m going with this, right? Let’s watch some interviews with Lou and Iggy and dig their contrasting styles in dealing with a bunch of dumb questions. Lou goes first cuz he’s dead.
Anti-Social Behavior? What’s That?
This interview takes place in Sydney International Airport in 1974, apparently after Lou got off a twentyish hour flight, which obviously only strengthens the rays of hostility.
The opening exchange about drugs is great and is pretty much Lou’s interview M. O. in a nutshell. The customs explanation is a practical touch from an obviously savvy traveler..
Lou’s just your average bleach blonde strung out guy trying to make a living definitely not in showbiz.
And how about that close-up of that sweater with Transformer Lou on it? I need one of those. Can someone please knit me a Lou Reed sweater?
The only time he gets remotely cordial is at the mention of “gutter rock” and his old pal and mentor Andy Warhol.
Otherwise, like he said, they told him to come in there. It was something to do.
I’m Not a Schmuck, Well, I’m not a brunette.
In 1975, learning absolutely nothing from the year before, the Australian press decided once again that it was a good idea to rap with Lou fresh off that little pond jump he just completed.
Apparently, “no, but if that’s all you got” is Reed for “yes, I would like some coffee. Thanks.”
Lou works this poor kid over like a cat playing with a nearly dead mouse.
He really doesn’t stand a chance, a dead man. He reduces these poor schmucks to asking him what questions to ask him. At this point, Lou’s already won and is just running out the clock so he can go to his hotel and crash.
The idea of him having five clones he dispatches for profit is just a nice cherry on top. This was expert level trolling way before they called it that.
Lowest Form of Life
Oh man. Oh Lord. So cold.
I feel like I need to be wrapped in an afghan and given a steaming bowl of chicken soup after watching this.
Maybe I should have warned you that your shoulders may be sore from all the bristling you would do during this clip.
Give it up to the kid. He may have been a terrible interviewer shitting his pants while he inadvertently insults a legend, but it makes for a hell of a rivoting, deliciously painful little documentary. It’s the kind of slow motion train wreck that keeps me spelunking through the murky depths of The Tube and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more catastrophic wreck.
“OBVIOUSLY I THINK SWEDEN IS VERY BEAUTIFUL AND I LOVE IT VERY MUCH.”
Mercy. This is like if the poor “Boom Goes the Dynamite” kid went back and revisited his notorious flop sweat flood.
Lou’s just laughing by the end, this kid doesn’t even put up enough resistance for a proper bully session.
Thirty years later, Lou still proves he has unassailable prick chops. Just gorgeous.
BONUS TRACKS
New Zealand
Here’s Lou praising compact discs, Police Academy and practicing his fake smile.
Bill Boggs is Just Crazy About Rock!
For some reason, Lou sort of takes it easy on this dweeby host. Maybe it’s because he’s a fellow New Yorker. You can’t say the same for his take on The Beatles.
Tubin’ Linx Swoop, swoop! Rock, rock!